De La Salle University denied University of the East a chance to seize a second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, following a 1-1 stalemate on Thursday at UP Football Stadium.
Gabe Suarez produced a screamer off a direct free kick, an 80th-minute goal that hit the crossbar first before it went in for the Green Booters to level.
Earlier, Mark Maghinay produced a first-half stoppage time goal off a Nicho Sumamoy cross to open the Red Warriors’ account.
Despite efforts from both sides, neither team could secure a victory in the final 10 minutes, resulting in a share of the spoils.
UE, which finished sixth in the previous season, now has four points in the table following its impressive 2-1 victory over University of Santo Tomas last Sunday.
Coach Frank Muescan noted that while the first half of the game was executed according to plan, fatigue in the second half affected the Red Warriors’ performance.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Well yung first half namin, according to the plan na execute very well,” Muescan said.
“Malayo pa naman yung season. We need to go back to the drawing board and discuss with my staff and my players para ma-regroup,” he added.
Green Booters coach Alvin Ocampo expressed high respect for the Red Warriors.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“We had a slow start and yung confidence ng UE is high because they are coming off a win against UST. Good thing we were able to score one sa set piece pa rin. At least it’s a point given,” Ocampo said.
De La Salle played only its season opener, as last Sunday’s rivalry match against Ateneo was abandoned in the 14th minute due to inclement weather.
“We have still time to recover on our rescheduled match against Ateneo on Oct. 3,” Ocampo noted.
UE’s next match is a showdown with defending champions Far Eastern University, also scheduled for October 3.
